Follow Santa’s journey around the world here

Lucy Grosvenor

The man in red has his sleigh loaded and the reindeer are fed and soon will be hitting the skies and now there is a tracker so you can follow his every movement.

Father Christmas usually starts at the International Date Line in the Pacific Ocean and travels west. So, historically, Santa visits the South Pacific first, then New Zealand and Australia and due to the time difference will be setting off at around 10am our time.

After that, he shoots up to Japan, over to Asia, across to Africa, then onto Western Europe, Canada, the United States, Mexico and Central and South America. But keep in mind, Santa’s route can be affected by weather, so it’s really unpredictable.

There are two main trackers this year Google or Norad, Google has an interactive fun village where you can dress elves and take a santa selfie and Norad, The North American Aerospace Defense Command. started tracking him when a 1955 advert encouraged children to phone Santa – but gave the wrong number.

Colonel Harry Shoup – known as the Santa Colonel – ordered staff to answer calls with an update on Father Christmas’ location.

So whether you are at home watching a Christmassy film or at work sneaking a look on your phone make sure you know where Father Christmas is as he sets off on his annual journey around the world.

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